hi all-

although i do not profess to be any type of an expert nor a flight instructor, i have taken quite a bit of instruction in the past several years obtaining an instrument rating in both fixed wing and helicopters.

the way i see it is that the most detrimental effect of a tail wind landing in a tricycle gear airplane(tailwheels and helicopters are slightly different beasts) is the additional groundspeed necessary to maintain the necessary indicated airspeed on approach thus necessitating a potentially significantly longer stopping distance and runway length. obviously gusty winds complicate the issue.

however, with the above said i would generally prefer a good precision approach(ils) in imc conditions with a tailwind to a long runway than a nonprecision approach(vor) in imc conditions to a short runway with a headwind.  just my own bias.  how about some thoughts from the high time lancair cfi's.

david weinsweig
lancair ivpt  looking for the other end of the tunnel

ps i have never been pic in a lancair(yet)